Rose plant Kval

ABSTRACT

A new, hybrid tea rose variety named `Kval`, which produces high centered, long lasting pink flowers of mild, fruity fragrance, `Kval` is a product of crossing `Mrs. George Delbard` with `Millipost` as seed parent.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant.

The present invention provides a new variety of rose plant for theproduction of cut flowers and ornamental growing plants, which is animprovement on varieties of rose plants already cultivated. Inparticular, in accordance with the requirements of world-wide marketsfor cut flowers, the present invention provides a new variety of roseplant which has improved vegetative and reproductive qualities comparedto varieties already cultivated, with a special color tone of theflowers, which is very much sought after and which permits therealization of maximum profit from the sale of the plants and their cutflowers.

After numerous attempts, it has been possible according to the presentinvention to produce a hybrid variety of rose plant, by crossing thevariety known commercially as "Millipost" (varietal name) with thetrademark "Omega", as the female plant, with a variety knowncommercially as "Mrs. George Delbard" (trademark), from "Deladel"(varietal name), as the pollenating plant, thereby to produce the firstplant according to the present invention in which was embodied thedesired characteristics.

The plant of the present invention may be easily reproduced andmultiplied in any desired number having all the characteristics of theoriginal plant, by means of vegetative multiplication methods of plantsemployed in floriculture and especially by grafting of shoots onto hoserose plants which are hardy in the soil where it is desired to cultivatethe present invention.

Thus reproduced, the present invention transmits with constancy andfidelity all the distinctive characteristics to successive generations,thereby permitting the production of large homogeneous plant populationswhich are stable as to their characteristics. Thus the rose plant of thepresent invention is well adapted for industrial floriculture, for theproduction of cut flowers, or for plants destined for use in landscapingand gardening.

The characteristics which in their unique combination distinguish therose plant variety according to the present invention and thus permitits ready identification, are set forth in the specification thatfollows, which in turn describes a group of plants industriallycultivated and grafted for about five years on Rosa Indica major growingin soil in greenhouses at Valbonne 06580, Alpes-Maritimes, France, andobserved and described in the month of September.

Thus it is to this seasonable condition and these conditions offloriculture that reference must be made for purposes of comparison withthe rose plant described hereinafter. It is of course to be understoodthat there will be normal fluctuations in the plant characteristicsaccording to climate, soil and methods of culture, but these do notmodify in any essential respect the present invention, as the repetitionof the culture of the plant under the conditions described hereafterwill permit ready identification of the plant according to the followingcharacteristics.

The color nomenclature in the following description is in accordancewith the tables in the reference "The Royal Horticultural Society"(hereinafter referred to as R.H.S.), except when the color is notdescribed in that work, or when the nature of the color is sufficientlyclearly indicated by ordinary usage.

Reference is also had to the accompanying photograph forming a parthereof, which shows various flowers in different conditions in bud andin bloom.

The characteristics are as follows:

Classification: Hybrid tea rose.

Derivation: "Millipost" crossed with "Deladel".

PLANT

Overall aspect: Upright to bushy, very vigorous, rapidly growing, verythin, erect and vertical. Vegetation tends to be bushy in the higherpart of the plant.

Average height: 80 to 150 cm for full grown plants, cultivated under theindicated conditions. Principal stem averages 80 to 100 cm and sometimesmore.

Roots: Of medium number and medium branches, extending deep into thesoil, about 50 to 60 cm long and of a diameter at the top of about 2 to10 mm. The bearded portions are long, of medium thickness and medium innumber.

Principal stem: Of variable form and dimensions according to the specieswhich receives the graft. In the described plants, the principal stemwas constituted by the cutting of Rosa Indica major, 20 to 25 cm longand with a diameter at the base of 12 to 15 mm.

Principal branches: 4 to 8 in number, branching outward from the pointof graft or from the base of other primary branches, somewhat divergentfrom the axis of the plant at their base, and then more vertical andparallel. Of medium thickness with little variation from the base to thetop. The primary branches are articulated in sections 30 to 60 mm longwhose joints are moderately differentiated, projecting somewhat from thebranches.

The average dimensions of the principal branches are, as to length, fromthe base to the summit 50 to 100 cm, sometimes more, and as to averagediameter 8 to 15 mm at the base. The bark of the principal branches isof medium thickness, smooth, glaborous, satiny and glossy in places.

The thorns are triangular, sharply pointed, differentiated in mediumnumber and almost a right angle to the branches. The lower side of thethorns is concave while the upper side is straight or slightly convex.The thorns are more or less difficult to detach from the stems accordingto the season, and have average dimensions such that their averagelength is 3 to 10 mm and their average width 8 to 10 mm. Their thicknessis 1 to 2 mm. The base of the thorns is elliptical with the largest partup. The small thorns, in medium number, have a length of 1 to 5 mm, awidth of 1 to 3 mm, and a thickness of 1/2 to 1 mm, and are of the sameshape as the large thorns. In color, the thorns are Greyed purple 184 BRHS. In texture, the thorns are robust, almost woody and rigid.

Floral branches: Average 3 to 5 in number on each primary branch, morenumerous on the upper part of the primary branches and closely spaced (3to 5 cm). In form, the floral branches are cylindrical, straight orslightly sinuous and sometimes slightly angled in correspondence to thenodes or joints, of medium thickness, and jointed into sections orinternodes whose average length is 40 to 60 mm. The average dimensionsof the floral branches or stems are 50 to 100 cm long to the base of theflower, and the average diameter, at the base, is 8 to 10 mm. The barkof the floral branches is smooth, glaborous, opaque or slightly satiny.The color of the floral branches is close to Green group 141 C RHS.

The thorns on the floral branches are numerous, generally large,intermixed with smaller thorns, scattered irregularly on the branchesand more frequently on the lower parts of the branches. They average 5to 10 per internode and are difficult to dislodge from the stem. Thethorns are triangular, slightly concave on the lower side, sharplypointed, differentiated, slightly inclined downwardly. The base of thethorns is lanceolate and is larger in its upper part. The larger thornshave an average length of 10 mm, an average width of 10 to 12 mm and anaverage thickness of 1 to 3 mm. For the smaller thorns, the averagelength is 1 to 5 mm, the average width 3 to 6 mm, and the averagethickness 1 to 2 mm. The color of the thorns is Greyed purple 184 B RHS.The texture of the thorns is rigid and resistant.

Leaves: Numerous on the primary branches and on the floral branches onwhich they are abundantly arrayed along all the lengths. The leaves arelarge and moderately elongated comprised by 3-5-7 leaflets inserted inopposed pairs plus a terminal leaflet on a stem which is thick at thebase and elongated toward the end, at regular intervals. The averagedimensions of the leaves are, on the primary branches, 100 to 130 mm inlength and 90 to 140 mm wide. The leaves on the floral branches have anaverage length of 130 to 180 mm and an average width of 100 to 140 mm.The configuration of the leaves is somewhat bent, at various angles tothe stems from almost a right angle or somewhat bent. The leaflets areflat in the foliate plane or slightly upturned relative thereto.

Leaflets: Limbus oval, elongated and wide, moderately sharp pointed atthe end, little differentiated. Petiole short. The edges of the leafletsare dentate, the teeth being moderately numerous, simple, short anddeeper adjacent the point of the leaflet. The average dimensions of theleaflets vary according to the state of development and according to theposition on the stem, increasing from bottom to top and from the base ofthe stem toward the terminal leaflet.

The lower leaves, having 7 leaflets, have a first pair at the base of alength 18 to 20 mm and a width 8 to 12 mm; the second pair has a length20 to 25 mm and a width 10 to 15 mm; the third pair a length 25 to 30 mmand a width 18 to 20 mm; while the terminal leaflet has a length 30 to35 mm and a width 20 to 25 mm.

The leaves of five leaflets comprise a first pair having a length 28 to30 mm and a width 20 to 25 mm; a second pair having a length 25 to 40 mmand a width 28 to 30 mm; and a terminal leaflet having a length 45 to 50mm and a width 35 to 40 mm.

As to the medial and upper leaves, those having 7 leaflets have a firstpair at the base whose leaflets are of a length 30 to 35 mm and a width40 to 45 mm; a second pair having a length 40 to 45 mm and a width 25 to30 mm; a third pair having a length 50 to 60 mm and a width 35 to 45 mm;and a terminal leaflet having a length 55 to 65 mm and a width 40 to 50mm. The leaves having 5 leaflets may have a first pair at the base of alength 45 to 55 mm and a width 35 to 40 mm; a second pair having alength 55 to 65 mm and a width 40 to 50 mm; and a terminal leaflethaving a length 65 to75 mm and a width 40 to 60 mm.

The surface of the leaves is, on the upper face, smooth, glaborous andmoderately glossy. The under face is smooth, glaborous, opaque, withpennate and reticulated ribs that project moderately on the limbus.

In color, the upper face is of Green group 137 RHS and on the undersurface of the Green group 138 B RHS.

In texture, the leaves are thick and resistant.

The stipules are straight and adnate along the stem for about 1/3 of thelength of the first internode. The earlets are straight, pilose at theedges and moderately divergent from the stem.

FLOWER

Overall Aspect: The floral stem tends to be finer towards the end and tofollow the light.

The flowering is almost continuous and its time of beginning is medium.

A single flower, erect, straight relative to and at the end of the stem,sometimes accompanied by several secondary floral buds which are smallerand shorter than the principal stem, carried by lateral stems insertedat the highest joints of the stems, which often will not have floralbuds.

The flower pedicel has a medium number of hairs.

Closed floral bud: Conical, hemispheric at the base, surmounted byfloriaceous appendices which are irregular and laciniated. Other lateralappendices are lanceolate and diverge from the contour of the bud. Theopening of the sepals is moderately advanced relative to that of thepetals. The average dimensions of the closed buds are 30 to 35 mm inlength and 20 to 25 mm in diameter.

Partially opened bud: In the form of an urn widened at the top. Theexternal petals open outwardly and are little if at all curled at theiredges. The central petals are spiral and the center of the flower isclosed, flat or a little raised. The average dimensions are 45 to 55 mmin length and 35 to 45 mm in diameter. The color is of Red purple group63 C RHS at the base and Red purple group 63 b at the edges.

Calyx: Cup of medium dimensions, in the form of a hemisphere. Sepals arefive in number, inserted on the edge of the cup, triangular, lanceolateand pointed, continuing off in foliaceous appendices with dentate andlaciniated edges, of a length up to 25 to 35 mm and a width 5 to 20 mm.Other lanceolated and marginally dentated appendices diverge from theedges of the sepals. The average dimensions of the receptacle are 5 to12 mm in length and 10 to 12 mm in diameter; and of the sepals 35 to 45mm in length without the appendices and 5 to 6 mm wide at the base. Thecolor of the upper surface is between Green group 138 D RHS and greengroup 138 A RHS. The color of the under face is between Green group 137C RHS and Green group 137 D RHS. The surface of the upper face iscovered with a fine white down. The lower face is smooth and opaque. Intexture, the calyx is of moderate thickness and resistant.

Floral peduncle: Of medium length, straight, rigid, cylindrical, withsmall barbs of a length 0.5 to 1 mm which are tender. The medium lengthis 70 to 100 mm and the diameter 4 to 5 mm.

Open corolla: Very petalate, globose, with a raised center, and petalsdisposed in 30 to 50 superposed verticils. The shape is round, regular,and slightly star-shaped due to rounded or obtuse points formed byrolling of the petal edges. The petals swirl and curl moderatelyoutwardly at the edges. The center of the flower is full and masks thestamens and the pistil. The profile of the flower is globose with thebase petals slightly turned and rolled downwardly.

The average dimensions are, when completely open, 100 to 110 mm indiameter and 55 to 65 mm in length from the base of the cup to the tipof the petals.

The overall color is Red purple group 58 C RHS on the edge and Redpurple group 58 D RHS toward the center.

The petals average 30 to 35 in number plus several petaloidal stamens atthe center of the flower, inserted regularly in the cup. In shape, theexternal petals have a rounded limbus with lateral edges slightlyconvergent in a robust base which is differentiated. The outer edge issmooth, curved and moderately rolled outwardly, forming one or severalobtuse points at the juncture of the rolls. The central petals havedimensions slightly smaller than the guard petals and are concave at thecenter and slightly rolled at the outer edges, sometimes with a slightcrease. The base is large, differentiated, and robust. The averagedimensions of the guard petals are 50 to 55 mm long and 45 to55 mm wide.The interior petals are 40 to 45 mm in length and 40 to 50 mm wide.

The color of the middle zone of inner side of the petal is Pink group 58C RHS. The color of the marginal zone of inner side is Pink group 58 BRHS.

There is a spot at the base of inner side which size is small and whichcolor is Yellow group 4 D RHS.

The color of the middle zone of outer side is Pink group 62 A RHS. Thecolor of marginal zone of outer side is Pink group 63 B RHS.

There is a spot at the base of outer side, which size is small and coloris Yellow group 4 D RHS.

The surface of the petals is, on the upper face, velvety withreticulated radial veins. The under face is satiny with veins slightlydarker than the main color.

Reproductive organs: Stamens: Very numerous, predominantly pink,averaging 170 to 190, around the cup. The threads are thin, erect,slightly curved toward the center of the flower, and of a variablelength from 5 to 10 mm. The anthers are of average dimensions,bisymmetrical, and terminated in threads. The styles are moderatelynumerous, at the center of the cup, surrounded by a bushy silky whitedown at their base. The styles range in length to 15 mm and are verythin, twisted, gathered at the base, free standing, purple andglandulous.

The stigmata are, situated above the anthers, fountain-shaped,terminated on the styles and yellowish. The ovaries are raised, partlyout of the cup.

Fragrance: Moderately strong, with mildly fruity overtones.

Resistance of flowers to climate: Moderate

Resistance of flowers to shipment: Very good

Durability of cut flowers: Very good 10 to12 days

Resistance of the plant to cryptomgamic diseases: Not very goodresistance to thrips. Resistance to oidium and mildew, same as SweetPromise (varietal name), Sonia (trademark).

Special conditions for the examination of the variety: Under glass.

Ease of culture: Very good.

Compatibility with ordinary grafting stock: Very good.

Difference with the parent plant "Deladel": The color is different, theleaves are softer and the internodes are shorter.

Having described my invention, I claim:
 1. The new and distinct varietyof rose plant as described and illustrated.